The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-01

A Visit to his Home-A Quiet Farm House ON
the Summit of a Mountain.

the Summit of q Mountain.
Atlanta Letter.
Twenty-Five years ago Gen. James Longstreet
was the slaughter of men.
What change has come! Perfect peace sur
rounds the old soldier in the evening of his
life
A quiet far house stands on t.e summit of &.
mountain ridge in North Georgia. Before it lies
the valley of the Chatfahoochee. The ground
descends rapidly, and from the homo Of Long
street one looks down upon the tree-tops For
miles and miles stretches a restless sea of green
famed this way and that way by the mountain
winds Beyond rises a range of hills, and fur
Their still are the Blue Ridge mountains. darkly
outlined against the sky.
AS approached the house few days ago I
saw no sign of life save pickannny in the
horse lot and some very ine-looking chickens in
the yard.
The large double doors at the front of the
house stood half Open There bell, SO
knocked. There was no response, so knocked
again. My next rap, it seemed to me. was
enough to loosen the plastering in the hall
Still there was no response. AT that moment l
caught sound of a
There is life in the old land yet" thought
as / made an effort to awaken the snorer.
But the more knocked the louder did the
snorer snore | grew tired and quit knocking.
turned from the door and looked upon the
beautiful and peaceful scene stretching away to
whore the sky touched the mountain tops. /
vexed that wanted to throw rock at
mocking bird singing in a big sycamore near by.
Turning to the door again put all my strength
into terrible crash against the door. There
was sudden sound of one awakening inside
the house, and Lees old war-horse" came
down the hall to meet me. His hair silver.
His whiskers were snow! His giant figure was
some what bent, but his eagle eye still flashed
with the old time fire. and years had only deep
ened the strong lines in his face. He was dressed
for comfort He did not that his collar
was awry; that mis- vest adorned a chair-post;
that his alpaca coat was ripped up the back.
He did not care that his slippers went FLAP.
flap, flap" against his heels as he walked. did
not care, either.
Nobody here to-day but me-" said the old
warrior as he showed me into the library, where
he had been sleeping lounge. spent
quiet afternoon with my old friend He talked
about war, and showed me his old confed-
crate uniform.
II shall put it some day and have my pict-
ure taken, he said.
'Have you had enough of warp asked.
Eyes, plenty my own account" he replied;
but if France and Germany should come to
blows would like to go over and see Won Moltke
fight"
pictures of Emperor William. A friend travel
ing in Europe sent him large photograph OF
the German Emperor, and Mrs. Longstreets
cook believes to this day it is picture of her
'.Marse Jeems."
The Generals fortune is rather small, but he
lives comfortably. He divides his time between
a vineyard and history which he is writ
ing. The history will be out in about year. Ii
will contain some very startling statements
about the late war. The book will be made up
mainly of accounts of adventures in the wars in
which General Longstreet has taken part. Gen.
Longstreet is charming in conversation though
he is very deaf. Mrs. Lonestreet is
vivacous little lady. and. of course. quite
proud of the General Her maiden
was Maria Louise Garland and her parents
lived in Virginia Gen. and Mrs. Longstreet
have five children-four and daughter.
The oldest son. Maj John Longstreet, was in
the war at fifteen, and is now twenty-seven
years DID, The other are Robert Lee. born
in Petersburg in 1868; James, born in Lynch
burg in 1886. and Ftz Randolph. born in Lynch
burg in 1863 The daughter, Miss Maria Louise
fov.r n11 h1r il
Flint. Mich. General Longstreet was born about
a mile from Augusta, Ga, on the South Carolina
side of the Savannah river He is 81 xty FIVE
years old, is in splendid health, and bids fair TO
live many years yet.